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New Cowboys tight end Michael Trigg #1

The Dallas Cowboys made their feelings clear about Baylor tight end Michael Trigg by signing to him to one of the heftier guarantees–$200,000–that the team has given out to its undrafted free agents to this date. That’s not a back-breaking total for a team playing in a league with a $301 million salary cap, but it is the highest amount known to be going to a UDFA in Dallas.

Generally, players with guarantees at that level make the team in some fashion, whether it is the 53-man roster or the practice squad. But there is an expectation that the Cowboys will be seeing more of Trigg in the coming months–and maybe even years.

No doubt, the Cowboys see UDFAs as a fertile opportunity to find and develop players.

“It’s a big, big part of what we do,” Cowboys vice president Will McClay said. “There are players that weren’t drafted that we like. It doesn’t matter where you come from. We talk about that all the time. You get the opportunity. There have been free agents and guys that we’ve found that have played big roles for us.”

Michael Trigg Had Red Flags During the NFL Draft

Trigg is an especially intriguing prospect, because many felt he was one of the better tight ends available in this class–he was predicted to go as high as the fifth round.

But the crop was deep with tight ends and Trigg came in with red flags on attitude and character that dated back to his days at Ole Miss, when he gained a negative reputation stemming from clashes with coaches.  He left the program three games into the 2023 season and transferred to Baylor thereafter.

Trigg thrived with the Bears, and his physical tools–his massive 7-foot wingspan was the longest ever measured for a tight end during the combine–showed. And while there may need to be some work on professionalism, coach Brian Schottenheimer was clearly excited about what Trigg could become.

Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer: Michael Trigg Is ‘Impressive’

Asked about Trigg at the opening of the Cowboys rookie minicamp this weekend, Schottenheimer could see a future playmaker in Dallas. Trigg had 50 catches for 694 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games last season.

Said Schotty: “Talk about Michael Trigg first, we’ve all seen the highlight reel catches and things that he did at Baylor—it’s impressive. You talk about a guy that can stretch the field vertically, and make game-changing ‘wow’ type plays attacking the middle of the field. I think that jumps out at you.”

Cowboys Tight End Room Will Be Crowded

Finding some wiggle room in the Cowboys tight end grouping could be difficult, however, and it is possible there will be surprise cuts among the group.  Jake Ferguson is the star and the leader of the bunch, but former second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker could be on thin ice after collecting just 49 catches in three years since he was a second-round pick in 2023.

It’s widely believed he will be replaced on the depth chart by Brevyn Spann-Ford this season, another undrafted tight end. Trigg will be in the mix, as will another UDFA signing, DJ Rogers from TCU. Reports indicate that he, like Trigg, was given a $200,000 guarantee on his contract. The Cowboys probably will keep four tight ends around.